FLORA'S 

HAN D-BOOK 



/ 




^>^ 



rr 



^^^^ 



^, ^ OCT 25 1H86Hr 



-V^ 



v^^:^ 



^ N 



A GUIDE TO 

FLOWER CULTURE 

AND 

Window Gajrdening. 



New Bedford, Mass. 






^^^. ^ 



Windew ©apdei^ii^f. 




The professional florist who possesses extensive green- 
houses filled with rare plants from all parts of the world, is 
no doubt often inclined to make light of the efforts of per- 
sons less favored, who cultivate a few cheap and common 
window plants; and still, the latter may derive more pleasure 
from their few pets of this kind than the former from his 
thousands of costly exotics ; for it is neither quantity nor 
quality that brings the greatest happiness, or the keenest en- 
joyment. A rare orchid costing a thousand dollars may not 
yield its owner a moiety of the enjoyment that some poor girl 
gets from the first flower that appears on her pot-grown pink 
or geranium, the result of her skill and loving care. 

As the little grains of sand make the beach of the ocean, 
so these little window plants, scattered here and there, be- 
come the silent but potent educators of the masses, keeping 
alive, as well as promoting a love for the beautiful members 
of Flora's kingdom. It is certainly true, that in our cold 
climate, a greenhouse with all the modern improvements for 
heating and ventilating, is a more convenient structure in 



which to cultivate tender plants than an ordinary dwelling ; 
but the former can only be obtained by the few, while the 
latter may be said to be in the possession of all, at least with 
with all who possess a place worthy of the name of home. 

In cultivating plants in pots, boxes or other similar ves- 
sels, we confine their roots to a very circumscribed area, pre- 
venting them from wandering to any considerable distance 
in search of nutriment ; consequently we must place the 
elements which they require near by, or within easy reach. 
The roots of plants may be confined within a very limited 
area, provided nutriments and moisture are supplied them in 
liberal quantities. 

The soil used for house plants in general, should be rich 
and of a rather loose and pliable nature, or at least light and 
porous enough to permit the water applied to the surface 
from time to time to pass down slowly, but surely to the 
very bottom. Sods gathered from an old pasture and placed 
in a heap until they are thoroughly decomposed, make an 
excellent potting-soil, but leaf-mold from the woods with a 
little old manure and a trifle of sand added, also makes an ex- 
cellent material for this purpose ; but good potting soil can 
be gathered almost anywhere, and if not of the right texture, 
materials may be added to make it so. For a large propor- 
tion of window plants the texture of the soil should be such 
that when firmly pressed betweed the two hands it will hold 
together when laid down. If it crumbles and falls apart by 
its own weight it is too light, and a little sticky loam or clay 
should be added ; but if the lump is firm and somewhat like 
putty in grain, it will dry too hard, and more vegetable 
mold should be added. Of course, these tests should be 
made with the moist, not wet, or very dry soil, but when in 



a proper coadition for haadliug readily. Soil when gathered 
from deep shade in the woods or city yards should be placed 
in heaps exposed to the sun and rain for a few weeks, or even 
months, before using it for pot plants of any kind, for earth 
long excluded from sunlight needs to pass through a kind of 
sweetening process before being used for window plants. 
The heap of potting soil can be frequently worked, and its 
texture, if not just right, be improved by adding whatever 
materials are required, even to mixing with it some kind of 
concentr a- 
ted fertil- 
izer. Flor- 
ists make a 
practice of 
prepar i n g 
their pot- 
ting soil 

several .,..,., ,„^ 

months in "^■*'"' 
advance of the time it is needed for use, and those who cul- 
tivate a few or many window plants should keep a little heap 
in some out-of-the-way corner of the yard where it can be 
drawn upon when required. 

I<i^t ki\(i Seat. 
Flowering plants must of course have light, but there are 
many kinds that will thrive in a half shady situation or if 
they only get the direct rays of the sun for an hour or two 
during the day, but a south window is always preferable to 
one facing east or west ; still either of the latter will answer, 
for one can readily select plants adapted to such exposures. 




The ferns, mosses, ivies, and even many of the cactuses 
thrive in positions where they are shaded the greater part of 
the day. 

Heat is of course necessary to all plants during the period 
of active growth, and tender kinds when at rest should not 
be subjected to a temperature much below 40° Fahrenheit. 
While growing and blooming, ordinary house plants require 
a temperature from 55° to 75°, or a degree of heat which 
would be generally considered by most persons as comfort- 
able while seated in a room. Some kinds of plants it is true, 
will thrive in a much lower temperature than others, and the 
Camelias, Tea plant and Azaleas will often bloom freely in 
water in a temperature that would be disastrous to the Heli- 
tropes and Coleuses. But most persons after a little experi- 
ence will be able to make selections of such plants as thrive 
best with them — conditions being so variable that no uniform 
rules can be given that would serve as a guide for all. 

A person cultivating window plants has a choice of an 
immense number of designs in the way of fancy boxes, 
shelves, hanging brackets, Wardian cases, flower stands and 
ornamental flower pots. Our principal florists and seedmen 
keep these articles on sale and in great variety, and if a per- 
son cannot afford to purchase the most expensive kind, they 
are still worth the trouble of a careful examination, as they 
furnish hints for the making of a cheaper article of a similar 
design. Long, narrow boxes, made to fit the window and rest 
on the window sill, are convenient for holding a number of 
plants which may be planted in the soil with which the box 
is filled, or the pots plunged in the soil, or even surrounded 



with moss from some swamp. Plants that will bear crowd- 
ing may be set quite thickly in such boxes— a few that grow 
quite tall, and smaller kinds that will bear considerable shade 
set in around the base. 

These window boxes may be a foot or more in width, 
and as long as the window is wide, the depth varying from 
five to ten inches, according to the size of the plants culti- 
vated. The inside of the box should be lined with zinc, tin, 
or some similar metal to prevent leakage, and before the soil 
is placed in it, the 
bottom should be 
entirely covered 
with fine pieces of 
broken pots or 
bricks for drainage. 
As no moisture can 
escape through the 
bottom or sides of 
these metal lined 
boxes, less water 
will be needed by 
the plants growing 
therein than by 
plants grown in sin- 
gle pots. Slate or 
soapstone boxes are 
preferable to those 
made of wood and 
lined with metal, but they are usually more expensive. 
Side boxes, brackets upon which to set one or more single 
pots, and various devices of this kind may be employed to 




suit one's fancy and to give to a window an artistic appear- 
ance, and at the same time not overcrowd or exclude the 
light from the plants needing it most. 

If it is not desirable to fasten boxes or other similar fix- 
tures to the window frames, then a narrow table may be 
used instead of the window sill to hold the boxes and pots, 
and even standards may be fastened to the table to hold 
brackets or wire frames, etc., on wliich to train vines. In 
some respects the table is preferable to permanent fixtures in 
the window, for in cold nights during the winter it can be 
readily moved away from the window and placed in the 
warmest part of the room. 

Where pots are employed, the common earthen pot, 
such as used by the florists, is the best for all kinds of plants 
cultivated in soil, because they are porous, allowing moisture 
to pass off through their sides as well as through the hole in 
the bottom, placed there to insure good drainage. But fancy 
glazed pots may be employed for plants requiring a large 
amount of moisture, like the Callas, or for forcing Crocuses, 
Hyacinths and similar kinds of bulbs in spring. 

It is seldom that persons cultivating only window plants 
will care to commence with seed, because our florists supply 
small stock in such immense quantities that they can afford 
to sell the ordinary window plants at a very low price. 
Still, there is a fascination in this matter of raising seedlings 
of choice plants, for no one is quite certain as to the results, 
and a seed from a scarlet Geranium may produce a plant 
with white flowers, or seed from a single flower may give a 
plant with double flowers, and for this reason many lovers 



of flowers are willing to take the trouble of ^raising seedlings 
on account of the chances of obtaining something different 
or better than the parent stock. 

In sowing seed all that is required is to cover them very 
lightly with fine soil and then keep the surface constantly 
moist by sprinkling it daily, or of tener if necessary, until the 
plants appear and become large enough to transplant into 
boxes or pots. This may be done by lifting each plant sep- 
arately or in clumps, and then separate them, being careful 
not to break 
the stems 
or mutilate 
the roots. 
Re-set at 
the same 
depth they I 
were before 
remov a 1 
from the 
seed-bed or 
pot, press 

the soil firmly about the roots, give a moderate supply of 
water and leave them in the shade for a day or two, then 
remove to a place where they will receive light and heat. 

Pottil\g Plklit^. 
Amateurs, or persons who have had little experience in 
raising plants in pots, are inclined to use much larger pots 
than is necessary, no doubt thinking that the more room the 
roots have in which to spread out the better. This is an 
error, for in cultivating plants in pots we not only aim to 




economize space, but control the growth of the roots and all 
parts of the plant. 

If small plants are placed in large pots the roots extend 
rapidly in a lateral direction until they strike tlie sides, and 
then throw out numerous rootlets which bend around, keep- 
ing close to the pot, while in inner or center parts of the ball 
of earth is, compaiatively speaking, unoccupied by any feed- 
ing roots. The proper way to proceed with small plants, 
whether raised from seeds or cuttings, is to place them at 
first in pots not more than two or three inches in diameter, 
and when these are filled with a solid ball of roots and soil 
shift into larger pots, that is, those about one inch larger 
than those from which they are removed. From three-inch 
pots shift into four-inch, and when the roots crowd knock out 
and place in five-inch, and proceed in this manner until the 
plants are full grown, or as large as desired. With such plants 
as Geraniums, Fuchsias, Helitropes and Abutilons, eight-inch 
pots will answer very well for plants when a year old if the 
soil is rich and fertilizers are added to supply the plants with 
the necessary nutriment. When the plants become too 
large for eight-inch pots they may be given larger ones, or a 
part of the roots cut away and the stem cut to almost any 
required height. 

Wktefirig Plk^t^. 

When or how often house plants should be given water 
is a difficult question to answer, because conditions are ex- 
tremely variable, and in a dry, warm room plants will need 
more water then when kept in a cool one. Plants when 
growing rapidly also need more water than when making a 
slow growth or are at rest. Then again, there are some 



10 



plants that will thrive in soil almost constantly saturated 
with water, while others would soon perish under such con- 
ditions. But as a rule plants with a large expanse of leaf 
like the Geranium, should be kept well supplied with mois- 
ture while growing and blooming, and the soil kept constantly 
moist, but not perfectly saturated. In a very dry, warm 
room they may need water once a day, but usually it need not 
be applied oftener than every other 
day, and then enough should be 
given to wet the soil throughout, 
not merely to the depth of an inch 
or more on the top. The more 
rapid and vigorous the growth the 
more water will be required, be- 
cause a large amount is imbibed by 
the roots and passes off through 
the leaves. Very cold water is 
likely to check growth, and the 
temperature should not be much 
lower than that of the room in 
which the plants are growing, and if several degrees warmer, 
so much the better. Plants should be watered overhead 
often enough to keep their leaves clean and free from dust. 

The more vigorous the plants the better can they resist 
the attacks of insects, but there are a few species of plant- 
pests that seem to thrive best on healthy and rapid growing 
plants, but these are among those most readily destroyed. 
The red-spider and the aphis are the two most common insects 
infesting house plants. The former seldom injures vigor- 




ous growing healthy plants that are kept in a moist atmos- 
phere, while the latter is always most troublesome under 
exactly the opposite conditions, but is readily destroyed by 
tobacco water or tobacco smoke. The plants may be fumi- 
gated with tobacco smoke, or the leaves syringed with strong 
tobacco water until the insects and their eggs are destroyed. 
If tobacco is objectionable, then Persian insect powder or 
California Buhach may be applied, although the latter is most 
expensive. 

0eledtioi\ of Wii\dow fl^^t^. 

Geraniums are general favorites, as they bloom freely 
and their flowers are very showy, while the plants usually 
succeed even when the conditions are not the most favorable. 

Those varieties with ornamental leaves, like the Moun- 
tain of Snow, Happy Thought and Mrs. Pollock, make very 
showy window plants even when not in bloom. Monthly 
Carnations are also favorite house plants, blooming freely 
during the winter months and almost in any moderately 
warm room. They require stimulating manures to keep up 
a constant succession of flowers. 

Callas, Fuchsias, Azaleas, Heaths, Cape Jasmine, Bou- 
vardias and Begonias are free blooming plants of easy cul- 
ture. 

For climbing and trailing plants the Ivies of various spe- 
cies, Smilax, Spiderworts (Tradescantias), Climbing Ground- 
sel, Maurandias, and many other similar kinds may be em- 
ployed, and they usually succeed with, or under ordinary 
care. 

Ferns of various kinds may be cultivated for the beauty 
of their foliage and graceful habit of the plants. They re- 



quire considerable moisture and a rather light and porous 
soil. They will also thrive when planted rather close or 
crowded, and several kinds may be grouped together in 
boxes if these 
are used in- 
stead of sin- 
gle pots. But 
those who 
have an eye 
for beautiful 
plants will 
not need to 
be informed 
as to what 
pleases them, 
but unfortu- 
nately it is 
not every 
handsome 
plant that will 
thrive in what 
may be called 
a window- 
garden. 

Of all cultivated plants the Cactus will withstand the 
most neglect, and still as a family they yield a greater num- 
ber of large and brilliant colored flowers than any other. 
There are vast numbers of small species and varieties well 
adapted to window culture, and all live to a great age, and 




some produce a succession of flowers in spring, each of which 
is as large, and in some instances larger than the parent 
plant. The best species for house culture are to be found 
among what are called the Melon Cactuses {Melo- Cactus), 
Mother Cactuses (Mammallana), and the Leafy Cactuses 
(Epiphyllums). The members of the two former genera are 
mainly small and of a globular form, and some bloom pro- 
fusely when not larger than a small or medium sized orange 
or apple. The Leafy Cactuses grow larger, with somewhat 
flattish stems or leaves. The flowers are of various colors, 
from deep violet purple to the purest white, and some are 
deliciously fragrant. In size the flowers vary from an inch 
up to eight or more. 

Cactuses require very little water when at rest, for in 
their native countries, sometimes a whole year passes without 
a shower ; consequently in cultivating such plants we may 
give them a long rest by withholding water, and still not 
seriously weaken their vitality. During the winter months 
they should be kept in a warm place and just sufficient water 
supplied to prevent shrivelling. As the spring approaches 
apply water more freely, and this will cause them to bloom, 
at least those known as the free blooming varieties. Some 
of the small and rather delicate growing species are grafted 
upon strong stocks, forming elegant miniature Cactus trees, 

A. S. Fuller. 




i/.^ V 




Tkkii\^ up Plki)t^. 



Such plants as Geraniums, Helitropes, Petunias, Ver- 
benas, etc. , that have been growing in the garden during the 
summer, and are wanted for house culture during the winter, 
may be taken up and potted in the fall, but sometime before 
frosts come to scorch or kill the leaves. 

The best time to lift such plants is after a heavy rain, 
when the soil about the roots is soaked with water ; but if 
rains do not fall, then the plants may be watered freely a few 
hours before they are taken up, always allowing suflBcient 
time for the water to pass down among the roots before dis- 
turbing the plants. Cut around the roots at some distance 
from the plant with a sharp spade, then raise the ball of 
earth gently, and if too large to go into the pot take off a 
little all around the ball, preserving the roots, as these can 
be bent around within the pot. Pack the soil firmly around 



the roots when placed in the pot and then apply water freely 
overhead as well as to the soil in the pot. Set the plants in 
the shade, or even in a dark room, for a day or two after 
potting them, as this will in a great measure prevent wilting 
and insure the production of new feeding roots. In pruning 
of the tops, always cut in long and straggling 
branches, and endeavor to give the plant a 
symmetrical shape. Remove all dead and 
sickly leaves from time to time, as may be 
necessary for the good appearance of the 
plants. 

If by neglect plants become slightly frosted 
or frozen during the winter, they should be immediately 
sprinkled with water at a temperature of about 50°, and then 
entirely excluded from light for a few hours, after which 
keep in the shade for a day or two before placing in the win- 
dow. All severely injured twigs and leaves should be re- 
moved. 





Flepa's DieMenapy, 



Acacia— Concealed Love. 

ALTHfEA— Consumed by Love. 

Alyssum, Sweet— Worth beyond Beauty. 

Amaranth— Immortality. 

Amaryllis— Splendid Beauty. 

Ambrosia— LoveReturned. 

Apple Blossom— Preference. 

Arbor Vit^— Unchanging Friendship. 

Bachelor's Button— Hope m Love. 

Balm of Gilead— Healing. 

Bell Flower (Campanula)— Gratitude. 

Blue Bottle (Centaurea)— Delicacy. 

Box— Constancy. 

Buttercup (Ranunculus)— Riches. 

Calla— Feminine Beauty. 

Camelia— Pity. 

Candy Tuft- Indifference. 

Cape Jasmine (Gardenia)— Transport, Ecstasy. 

Catchfly, Red (Silene)— Youthful Love. 



Cedar— I Live for Thee. 
China Aster— I Will Think of It. 
Chrysanthemum, Rose— I Love. 
Columbine, Purple (Aquilegia)— Resolved to Win. 
Coreopsis— Love at First Sight. 
Crocus— Cheerfulness. 
Dafodil— Chivalry. 
Dahlia— Forever Thine. 
Daisy, Wild— I Will Think of It. 
Daphne Odora— I Would Not Have You Otherwise. 
Dead Leaves— Sadness. 
Dogwood (Cornus)— Am I Indifferent to You? 
Eglantine (Sweet Briar)— 1 Wound to HeaL 
Elm— Dignity. 

Everlasting (Graphalium)— Never-Ceasing Re- 
membrance. 
Filbert— R e conciliation. 
Flax (Linum)— I Feel Your Kindness. 
Forget-mb-not— True Love. 
Geranium, Oak— Lady, Deign to Smile. 
Geranium, Silver Leaf— Recall. 
Hawthorn— Hope. 
Heart's Ease— Think of Me, 
Hepatica— Confidence. 
Honesty (Lunaria) Sincerity. 
Honeysuckle— Bond of Love. 
Hyacinth, Blue— Constancy. 
IPOMCEA (Cypress Vine)— I Attach Myself to You, 
Ivy— Friendship, Matrimony. 
Jessamine, White— Amiability. 
Jonquil— I Desire a Return of Affection. 
Laurel (Kalmia) Glory. 
Ladies' Slipper (Balsam)— Capricious Beanty. 
Lemon Blossom- Discretion. 
Lilac— First Emotion of Love. 
Lily— Purity, Happiness. 
Lily of the Valley— Return of Happiness. 



18 



Mallow (Malva)— Sweetness, Mildness. 

Marigold— Despair. 

Mignonette— Your Qualities Surpass Your Charms. 

Mimosa— Sensitiveness. 

Mint— Virtue. - 

Moss— Maternal Love. 

Mulberry, White— Wisdom. 

Myosotis— Forget Me Not. 

Myrtle— Love. 

Narcissus- Egotism. 

Nasturtium— Patriotism. 

Olive Branch— Peace. 

Orchis— Beauty. 

OSMUNDA— Dreams. 

Pansy (Viola Tricolor)— Think of Me. 

Passion FLOweR— Religious Fervor. 

Pba, Everlasting (Lathyrus)— Wilt Thou Go with Me ? 

Ragged Robin (Lychnis)— Wit. 

Rose— Beauty. 

" Bridal— Happy Love. 

" Moss— Superior Merit. 

" " Bud— Confession of Love. 

" Tea- Always Beautiful. 

" Wild— Simplicity. 
Snap Dragon— Presumption. 
Snow Drop— Consolation. 
Speedwell (Veronica)— Female Fidelity. 
Spindle Tree— Your Image is Written on My 

Heart. 
Sun Flower, Dwarf— Your Devout Adorer. 
Sweet Sultan— Felicity. 
Tulip— Declaration of Love. 
Venus' Fly-Trap— Have I Caught You at Last ? 
Verbena— Sensibility. 
Violet, White (Viola)— Modesty. 
Wall Flower— Fidelity. 
Wood Sorrel— Joy. 



The CLARK'S COVE GUANO CO., 

PAID UP CAPITAL, $600,000.00. 

MANUFACTURERS AND COMPOUNDERS OF 

HIGH CLASS 

COMPLETE FERTILIZERS, 

OF FULL STRENGTH, 
For all SOILS and CROPS. 



Edmund GRINNELL, President. I SAMUEL IVERS, Treasurer. 

V. F. Hatch, Manager. 

General Offices, NEW BEDFORD, Mass. 



GEO. W. KIRKE, Gbn. Sales Agent, NEW YORK. 
JOHN M. GREEN, Southern Manager, ATLANTA, GA. 
WM. A. GASSAWAY, SALES AGENT, BALTIMORE. 
A. A. MITCHELL, SPECIAL AGENT, PORTLAND, ME. 



DOUBLE STRENGTH FERTILIZERS 

For TRUCKERS, TOBACCO, HOP, ONION and BERRY 

GROWERS; and for ORCHARDS. 

For EARLY, LARGE and PAYING CROPS. 



THOROUGHBRED 

LAWN AND GARDEN FERTILIZER, 

Odorless and Highly Concentrated. 

ONE PACKAGE CONTAINS THE STRENGTH OF ONE LOAD OF STABLE 

MANURE. NO FILTHY LITTER OR BAD ODORS. 

NO HATCHING OF VERMIN. 

PUT UP IN SMALL and CONVENIENT PACKAGES. 



Holt Brother*, Printers, 119-121 Nassau St., N. Y. 



For HOUSE or CONSERVATORY USE. 



Odorless. Cor>centrated. 

THE 

C L A R K'S COVE 

GENERAL PLANT FERTILIZER, 

GIVES 

Increased Strength and Vitality. Rapid Growth. 

Luxuriant Foliage. Perfection of Form and Color. Great 

Brilliancy. Exquisite Fragrance. 



DEVELOPS 

Great Vigor and Beauteous Foliage 

IN ALL 

CLIMBERS and CREEPERS. 

ENSURES VITALITY THROUGH SEVERE SEASONS. 



Free from Insect - Breeding Germs. 



PUT UP IN ONE POUND CANISTERS. 

tt^DIRECTIONS FOR USE ON CANISTER. 



The CLARK'S COVE GUANO CO. 



rr\^ 



POSITION OF WORKS. 

^HE POSITION of the Works is one of the best on 
I the Atlantic seaboard. Its location on Buzzard's 
X Bay permits ingress and egress at any season, how- 
ever cold. Vessels can weigh anchor and get to sea within 
an hour. With deep water, and a channel navigable at any 
time, foreign vessels land full cargoes at rates corresponding 
with those current for the port of New York. Raw materi- 
als can be delivered from any point with great despatch, and 
at lower cost than some of the fertilizer works adjacent to 
New York can command, the bay being free from onorous 
port and pilotage charges. The conveniences for the rapid 
handling of cargoes are unsurpassed. The cost of the 
"plant" could not from many advantages be duplicated 
elsewhere. Labor is plenty at moderate figures. The Cor- 
poration's vessels convey the manufactured product. Steam 
transfer, in this respect, has been found to cost less than 
harbor lighterage from factories about New York, which in 
many cases cannot deliver their product to railroad and 
other transportation routes without a heavy tax for transfer. 

Copyright 1886 by Clark's Cove Guano Co. 



c 



LlBRftR^ OJ;,, 



CONGRESS 



..iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllllllillllilllll 



f 5 910 5®^ * 

-■illilHiillilitt,,, 

lliliillil;,, 
iliilKliiilk 

fflsniiiii;!, 

lBlill^''lli|lill 

i!yMi"ffliiiiii 

liiiiiflti 

rjraiii 



1 




